|
|
Don't Read This Article About Ephedra
Because you will stumble upon the facts and no longer be confused. There’s a lot of confusion out there about “Ephedra” and “Ephedrine” and exactly what they are. I wrote about this a couple years ago and it’s time to write about it again....
Herbal Sex Supplements
There are numerous herbal supplements on the market today that increase sexual performance and satisfaction. How is one to choose which of these products is the right one to try? Trying to sort through the various descriptions can be...
Make Healthy Profits -- Sell Youth-Preservers
It's no secret that people all over the world (especially in America) spend billions and billions of dollars every year trying to reclaim their youth. We buy skin creams, get expensive injections, buy more youthful clothing, and even undergo...
Ten Of The Best Supplements That Men Need For Optimum Nutrition Today...
There are many nutrition supplements at your local health food store. So many to choose from so confusing which ones are the right ones. How many should you take? Here you will learn what you need to take for the best health benefits. A word of...
Why is Hoodia such a sought after weight loss supplement?
Hoodia Gordonii is an unambitious little South African desert cactus type plant that has a big future ahead of it. A gift from the native San people who live in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, this tiny plant the natives' call "Xhoba" has...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buyer Beware! Purchasing Fat Burners and Other Supplements Online
Each month I receive hundreds of e-mails from consumers who have been bilked out of their hard earned dollars by unscrupulous supplement / fat burner manufacturers. Manufacturers who have added them to monthly recurring billing cycles without their permission. Manufacturers who don't honor their money-back guarantees, and, while providing a 1-800 number for refunds, but don't hire a real, breathing person to monitor this number. These manufacturers treat their customers with disdain, and in general, regard them as little more than sheep who need to be parted from their money.
The vast number of complaints I receive involve products marketed almost extensively via...
i) radio advertisements
ii) internet e-mail and advertising campaigns
iii) television infomercials
These products tend to be marketed by companies who do not have a regular presence in the marketplace. These companies like to make this sound like a good thing (i.e., "exclusive T.V. offer!", and "this product is not available in any stores, so order now!"). However, the opposite is generally the case. Why? Selling via the 'Net, T.V. or radio makes it very easy for the manufacturer to...
a) avoid accountability to the customer
b) continue to sell an inferior product to a receptive audience
To further outline the issues, let's create an example scenario with fictitious companies "X" (which will sell its products in stores), and company "Y" (which sells online).
Suppose company "X" creates a new fat burner product with a full money back guarantee. They sell it in local marketplaces through well-known retailers. Suppose you come in to the retailer and purchase that new fat burner. Four weeks later, in accordance with the label guarantee, you bring the empty bottle for a refund, feeling the product didn't live up to your expectations.
A quality, customer focused retailer will refund your money right away, no questions asked (if they don't, make it clear you'll be taking your business elsewhere). That retailer will then demand their own refund from manufacturer.
What's my point here?...
1) Inferior quality products threaten the local merchant's credibility, and their ability to do business with the local audience. After all, no merchant who claims to have your best interests at heart while flogging an inferior product can stay in business for long.
2) It is impossible for any manufacturer to avoid accountability in the local retail market. If a product yields too many refunds, the local merchant will have to stop selling it. That's because that merchant needs your repeat business for his/her other products. If the merchant does not treat you well, s/he loses the risk of losing ALL your business. Regardless, the bottom line is that the local retailer has to stop ordering from the manufacturer.
3) Products that generate lots of refund requests are much more work for the retailer than ones that do not. Merchants will not carry such a product for long.
OK, now for the other side of the coin.
Suppose company "Y" creates a new fat burner (covered by a 100% money-back guarantee) and markets it via infomercials, radio ads, and the Internet. Suppose "you" purchase the product, and later try to get a refund when you find the quality of the product unsatisfactory. Here's where things get interesting...
Unlike your local merchant, who needs to keep you happy to earn your
repeat business, company "Y" knows it is unlikely to ever hear from you again. So it makes it as difficult as possible to obtain a refund. Its 1-800# plays an endless loop message for 45 minutes. It's nearly impossible to get a real human being to talk to.
Good luck getting your refund.
And when you buy products in this manner, often you'll get added to a recurring billing option without your consent. In other words, you'll receive another bottle of the product every 30 days and your credit card will be charged accordingly.
Again, good luck getting your refund.
Bottom line?
Advertising and selling in this manner makes it very easy for the manufacturer to avoid the issue of accountability to the customer. And most manufacturers use call centers, professional warehousing and drop shipping facilities to further isolate themselves from contact with their clients. Chances are that should you order such a product, you won't get a company representative on the phone, but a call-center employee with performance-based incentives. Is that the sort of company you'd like to do business with?
By declining to sell their products in a local retail environment, manufacturers are able to isolate themselves from the local merchants who could demand large volumes of refunds, and threaten their business by refusing to stock a low-quality product. Additionally, it also makes it more difficult for bad product word-of-mouth to circulate amongst consumers.
So...
There are several recommendations I have for purchasing fat burners or any other supplements...
1) Do not buy products advertised on TV, the radio, or the Internet unless...
a) those products CAN by purchased from a local retailer. That way, you'll have some recourse should you be unhappy with the product. While not all companies who advertise in this manner are deceptive or unethical, there is greater likelihood you will experience an issue with a merchant who advertises in this manner and does not maintain a local presence.
b) the product is sold by a well-recognized, respectable brand company.
2) Buy only well-recognized brand names with a established history in the supplement industry (e.g.., MuscleTech, Isatori, Champion Nutrition, BioTest, EAS, and so on). I'm not saying the major brands always create better products. I am saying, however, that their "brand" and reputation does mean something to them, and they do recognize the value of a long term repeat customer. 9 times out of 10, if you have a problem with a product, you can phone such a manufacturer for a refund directly.
On the other hand, products marketed online or on TV do not have a "brand". So it does not matter what the reputation of that brand is, or how it resonates with consumers, since the manufacturer will simply create a new one for the next product.
3) Establish a relationship with a local or online merchant, and make all your purchases from that merchant. Trusted, valued customers can always take their complaints to a good merchant, who knows it is in his/her best interest to look after them.
In the end, losing weight is hard enough without having to worry about losing your money, too. Your best bet is always to purchase brand name products from a trusted local retailer.
About the Author
Ultimatefatburner.com: Reviews of Fat Burners, Diet Supplements and Weight Loss Programs! http://www.ultimatefatburner.com
|
|
|
|
|
Office of Dietary Supplements - HOME |
The mission of ODS is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting ... |
dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov |
  |
International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements ... |
A database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary supplements including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. |
dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov |
  |
US FDA/CFSAN - Dietary Supplements: Overview |
Overview of dietary supplements and the FDA's role in regulating this group of foods. |
www.cfsan.fda.gov |
  |
All About Nutritional Supplements: Consumers Review Supplements ... |
NutritionalSupplements.com is the Internet's premier source for unbiased information about nutritional supplements and prescription drugs. |
www.nutritionalsupplements.com |
  |
Times Online - Supplements |
Supplements. ... For information on supplement opportunities in The Times, The Sunday Times and on Times Online, e-mail us at supplements@timesonline.co.uk ... |
www.timesonline.co.uk |
  |
Drug Information and Supplement Information - MayoClinic.com |
Research prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. |
www.mayoclinic.com |
  |
Supplements : Nature |
Journal home > Supplements. Supplements. Latest Insights; Latest Outlooks; Latest Collections ... Order your supplement reprints; Downloadable forms: ... |
www.nature.com |
  |
Bodybuilding.com - Huge Supplements Article Database! |
Learn the secrets to using supplements for fast results! |
www.bodybuilding.com |
  |
New Zealand Herald - Supplements |
The New Zealand Herald publishes over 60 supplements, features and composites a year - packed ... Links to current supplements carried online are below. ... |
www.nzherald.co.nz |
  |
Dietary supplement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
A prescribed dietary supplement is intended to supply nutrients ... The medical utility and regulatory status of dietary supplements is controversial. ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
  |
Vitamin Supplements - Ask the Dietitian |
Got questions about Vitamins or Antioxidant supplements? Ask Joanne Larsen, Registered Dietitian and nutrition counselor. |
www.dietitian.com |
  |
Supplements Canada.com - Canada's Sport Supplement Superstore. Get ... |
Sells sports nutrition supplements. |
www.supplementscanada.com |
  |
Food and Nutrition Information Center: Dietary Supplements |
Information on nutritional supplements aimed at athletes and exercisers is provided, including potential supplement dangers. ... |
healthymeals.nal.usda.gov |
  |
Bodybuilding Supplements - Xenadrine, Stacker 2, Hydroxycut ... |
Offers articles on supplements, reviews, fitness, routines, workout tips and diet. |
www.bodybuildingforyou.com |
  |
Affordable Supplements - Your Source for High Performance Nutrition |
All major brands of bodybuilding supplements. Weight lifting gloves, belts, and straps. Free newsletter. |
www.affordablesupplements.com |
  |
Bodybuilding Supplements Exercise Equipment Gakic Life Fitness ... |
Bodybuilding Supplements Exercise Equipment Gakic Life Fitness Treadmills Muscle Milk Elliptical. |
www.bodyconcept.com |
  |
Supplements - legal ways to improve performance and or hasten recovery |
Supplements to improve performance. ... Supplements. There are a number of supplements that have been identified as potentially beneficial to the athlete: ... |
www.brianmac.demon.co.uk |
  |
Natural Health Herbal, Vitamin and Nutritional Supplements ... |
NutraSanus natural health care products, herbal, vitamin and nutritional supplements for a longer healthier life. |
www.nutrasanus.com |
  |
MMWR: Supplements Past Volumes |
Volume 55 (2006) MMWR Supplement Issues · Volume 54 (2005) MMWR Supplement Issues · Volume 53 (2004) MMWR Supplement Issues · Volume 52 (2003) MMWR ... |
www.cdc.gov |
  |
Bodybuilding Supplements EAS Optimum Nutrition Sports Nutrition ... |
KeySupplements.com wholesale bodybuilding supplements sports nutrition health store same day shipping fixed rate. |
www.keysupplements.com |
  |
|